Variety of Dicentra plant named ‘Ivory Hearts’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dicentra peregrina×eximia  plant with a compact habit and long flowering period.

Botanical classification: Dicentra peregrina×eximia.

Varietal denomination: ‘Ivory Hearts’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Dicentra peregrina×eximia known by the varietal name ‘Ivory Hearts’. The new variety was discovered in Hokkaido, Japan on May 20, 1990. The first date of asexual reproduction by cuttings was in February of 1991 in Hokkaido, Japan. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program cross between unpatented, unnamed Dicentra peregrina rubra (female parent) and Dicentra eximia (male parent). The new variety exhibits similar form and foliage to both parents, but has a more improved vigor and a longer flowering period than both parents. The new variety exhibits similar flower color to an unpatented variety of Dicentra eximina alba, but has more vigor and a different growth habit. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The following characteristics distinguish ‘Ivory Hearts’ from other varieties:

-   -   1. Compact habit;     -   2. Improved vigor;     -   3. Strong, rhizomatous root structure; and     -   4. Long flowering period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the plant;

FIG. 2 is a close up view of the blossoms of the new plant;

FIG. 3 is a close up view of the foliage of the new plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar grown outside in the open ground with no extra fertilizer in The Netherlands. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions by cuttings. The color readings were taken in The Netherlands in natural daylight. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 21 days at 15° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 49 days at 15° C. -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:     About 10-12 weeks in a 12 cm container. -   Rooting habit: Fine, rhizomatous root system. -   Form: Low, spreading, mounded foliage. -   Stem: Not present. Foliage and flowers arise directly from root     system. -   Height: Approximately 30 cm. -   Diameter: 30-40 cm. -   Vigor: Good. -   Branching habit: Non-branching. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Petioles arise from base of plant bearing             deeply cut bipinnate foliage.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 16-20 cm. Width: 14-15 cm.         -   Leaflets.—Shape (generally): Rounded, but deeply cut.             Number: 5-7. Width: 6-8 cm. Length: 6-10 cm. Shape of apex:             Acute. Shape of base: Uneven. Texture: Glabrous. Margin             type: Fern-like; deeply cut. Pubescence: Upper surface: Both             glabrous and glaucous. Lower surface: Both glabrous and             slightly glaucous. Color: Young leaflet: Upper surface:             Between 128B and 128C. Lower surface: Between 128B and 128C.             Mature leaflet: Upper surface: Between 124C and 126D. Lower             surface: Between 135C and 126D.         -   Petiole.—Length: 10-15 cm. Diameter: 4-5 mm. Color: Between             143C and 143D.

FLOWER

-   Bud:     -   -   Stage when bud characteristics determined.—Just before             opening.         -   Shape.—Pitcher-shaped.         -   Diameter.—12 mm.         -   Length.—22-24 mm.         -   Color.—155C, but clear white. -   Natural flowering season: Early April until late September,     depending on temperature. -   Panicle:     -   -   Shape.—Tightly packed.         -   Number of flowers.—Between 12-15.         -   Length of pedicle.—Between 5-10 mm.         -   Length of peduncle.—Between 10-15 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Form.—Zygomorphic; fused petals (lobed).         -   Petals.—Total number: 4 in 2 pairs. Outer pair: Number: 1.             Length: 20 mm. Width: Between 2 mm and 5 mm. Shape: Fused;             cordate. Aspect: Pendant; nodding. Texture: Smooth. Color             (when opening and fully opened): Upper surface: Between 155C             and 157D. Lower surface: Between 155C and 157D.         -   Inner pair.—Number: 1. Length: 20 mm. Width: 4-5 mm. Shape:             Fused tube. Aspect: Pendant; hanging. Margin: Entire.             Texture: Smooth. Color (when opening and fully opened):             Upper surface: Between 155C and 157D. Lower surface: Between             155C and 157D. -   Calyx:     -   -   Form.—Vestigial in two halves.         -   Length.—2-3 mm.         -   Diameter.—2 mm.         -   Sepal shape.—Acute.         -   Sepal margin.—Entire.         -   Sepal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Sepal size.—Length: 2-3 mm. Width: 2 mm.         -   Sepal color.—Upper and lower surface: 138D. -   Fragrance: None. -   Disease resistance: Good. -   Temperature tolerance: Between −10° C. to 30° C. -   Lasting quality: Excellent; lasting over 3 weeks depending on the     weather.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—2 per flower.         -   Filaments.—Filament length: Approximately 10 mm. Color:             155C.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oval. Length: 2 mm. Color: 155C.         -   Pollen.—Color: 23A. Amount: Minimal. -   Pistils:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 10 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 8-9 mm. Color: 144D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: 12A. -   Seed/fruit production: None observed. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Dicentra peregrina×eximia plant substantially as shown and described. 